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Samsung introduces the pace for smartphone power in 2017 with the Samsung Galaxy S8 at $750. It’s the most effective phone at nearly everything it does, whether it’s connecting to the internet, making calls, playing games, taking photographs, or watching a big-screen video. The S8 isn’t leaps and bounds forward of different top choices just like the Google Pixel. However, it’s the overall most successful phone on the market.

Samsung Galaxy S8 Review – Design

Nothing comes close to the Galaxy S8 design-wise. It’s the best-looking phone I’ve ever seen, leaving every other handset trailing in its wake.

The curved rear, as seen on the Galaxy S7, nestles perfectly in your palm, whereas the glass shimmers as the light hits it. The device is offered in three colors – a dark black, bright silver and a gray with a bluish tinge – with no ugly white front plate in sight.

The S8 is thin and incredibly light at 155g. However, it feels sturdy and precisely made. The last time Samsung opted for a large change of direction with its flagship, lots of the basic features were lost in the transition. Thankfully, this isn’t the case here. A microSD slot continues to sit tucked away with the nano-SIM, the criminally underrated Qi wi-fi charging is also present, and the device is IP68 water- and dust-resistant too, so it’ll survive a dunk in water for 30 minutes to depths of 1.5 meters.

Samsung Galaxy S8 Review – Display

Not only has Samsung crafted what’s, in my opinion, the best-looking phone on the market, however, but it’s also slapped on the best display too. Although, when you think about that Samsung has demonstrated the most effective screen tech for some years, this isn’t a surprise.

First, it has a new aspect ratio of 18.5:9, rather than 16:9. This means it’s taller, essentially providing you with more space in a physique that isn’t that much larger than that of the S7. Whereas the Galaxy S7 had a 5.1-inch display, the S8 bumps that to 5.8.

Samsung Galaxy S8 Review – Software

Software used to be one of Samsung’s defects, and although far from being one of the company’s strengths in the S8, upgrades are clear to see.

What it comes with an Android 7.0 is functional and good-looking. I’m particularly a fan of the haptic suggestions you get if you push the virtual home button, which can be reached even when the display is off.

The most important software addition for the Galaxy S8 is Bixby, Samsung’s rival to Siri – and it’s probably the biggest mistake, too. This digital personal assistant pops up throughout, plus there’s a dedicated Bixby button on the side, so you don’t want to call out an awkward phrase to get it going. The thing is, it feels half-baked and not fairly prepared yet.

Samsung Galaxy S8 Review – Hardware and Performance

There are some new features to make the screen simpler to use one-handed which we’ll cover in the software part, and the display is always-on should you need it to be. One last thing to mention concerning the screen is that it comes with a Mobile HDR Premium certification via the UHD Alliance. The facility to display HDR content sounds good however you will only get it with certain titles on Amazon Prime Video. More partners will be announced.

The S8 is the quickest Android phone you can buy. On Geekbench 4, that brand new engine chalked up a multi-core score of 6627, beating the Note 7’s 5228 and the S7’s 5213.

In actual life, multi-tasking never slowed the S8 down, with the 4GB of RAM maintaining things running easily. Apps don’t stutter, games load quickly, and media-heavy websites render without lag.

Graphic-heavy games such as Dead Trigger 2 and Vainglory are no sweat, both. If you wish to focus on your gaming, Samsung’s Game Launcher returns, blocking notifications and even recording your gameplay.

Samsung Galaxy S8 Review – Camera

The S8 is a sizeable increase over the S7 in almost every area. However, the camera has obtained the fewest upgrades – on paper, at least. There’s no wide-angle lens or variable aperture and no dual-sensor system here. Instead, there’s a single 12-megapixel sensor behind a wide f/1.7 lens that uses the identical Dual Pixel tech as the S7. The Galaxy S8, just like the Google Pixel, shows it’s as much concerning the optics and sensor as how the software and image signal processor (ISP) work together. The photographs achieved by the Galaxy S8 are truly gorgeous, and it’s a big jump from the already glorious Galaxy S7.

On the front, there’s a new 8-megapixel sensor with a f/1.7 aperture. It has autofocus, which remains a rarity on selfie cameras, and takes nice photos too. When you like Snapchat-style augmented filters, then Samsung contains a bunch of them.

Video tops out at UHD, however, stick to 1080p and you’ll profit from HDR and impressive tracking autofocus.

Samsung Galaxy S8 Review – Battery Life

The largest concern I had about the Samsung Galaxy S8 was the battery life. Considering the fallout from trying to cram a massive battery inside the slim Note 7, it’s probably no shock that Samsung has been a little conservative with the cell inside the Galaxy S8.

Samsung hasn’t made a dance and big song about battery life on the Galaxy S8. This may be partly due to the fact it has the identical 3,000mAh capacity as its predecessor.

Nevertheless, it’s good to see features similar to USB-C, quick charging, and wi-fi charging all as standard. Battery life will always be nice when a phone is new and unused however were, nevertheless, impressed with the Galaxy S8. It lasted almost 48 hours (together with two nights) of average usage.

Samsung Galaxy S8 Review – Connectivity Options

It has a dual-band 11ac Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC and LTE Cat 16. It also uses a reversible USB-C port like latest Samsung devices and rivals. The heart rate monitor also remains, however, has been moved to the other side of the camera module.

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Conclusion

Samsung has taken the most effective phone around and made it even better with an impressive design and screen. It’s the most effective phone of 2017 so far however it’s costly, and the biometrics are a letdown.

That said, the Google Pixel is less costly than most S8 carrier models at $649. Whereas the S8 is slightly better in various ways, the Pixel has a cleaner interface, longer standby battery life, and more frequent Android updates. For AT&T and Verizon users, meanwhile, the unlocked ZTE Axon 7 and OnePlus 3T deliver the entire power most individuals need for around $400.

The S8 securely kills theiPhone 7 and 7 Plus in our eyes, though. Whereas the iPhone SE is still a superb worth, platform lock-in is just about the only reason to take an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus over this device—the concept that you have spent so much money and time learning Apple’s apps and using iMessage that it would be too much of a bear to leave.

I favor the S8 to its bigger sibling the S8+, though. That is purely a taste problem, as I love how the S8 is comfy in one hand, even with a case on. The S8+ provides a bit more battery life and a larger screen for $100 more. Individuals with massive hands, of course, may disagree.

The Galaxy S8 is the most luxurious, best-performing phone available on the market right now. Maybe it’s more phone than most individuals want. However, it’s almost certainly better than the phone you have.